Consistently one of DC's best Italian restaurants for over 35 years now. Fixed price menu starts with an amazing sequence of about 5 small plates, then a choice between 3 first courses and 3 second courses and dessert. Service is excellent and the restaurant is attractive with about 15 tables. Noise level is at a very pleasant low level. Be sure to book a reservation ahead.
Thomas Tesoriero
This is simply the best restaurant in DC for decades. It is quiet and elegant and understated. The five course dinner goes on and on, so don’t come here if you’re in a rush.
The appetizers are usually five or six dishes that are each more special and elegant, and almost enough to fill you up before dinner.
The menu changes and it’s limited, but always something you will love.
Brendan Wynn
I really appreciate restaurants that have figured out how to be understated and still genuinely memorable — I think of places like Atelier Crenn who hit this balance. Clearly, Obelisk belongs in this same category. Every dish was notable, and usually for the small details — stellar olive oil for a burrata, perfect duck skin cracklings hiding out in asparagus, potatoes I have to assume were cooked in the veal fat to be that good, silky pappardelle for rabbit, intense rhubarb for panna cotta. Perfect cheeses, amazing wine list, pristine glassware, engaging team, beautiful dining room. Just impeccable.
michael boyd
WHY DIDN'T I FIND THIS PLACE SOONER!? First off.....THE BREAD WAS FRESHLY MADE! YOU CAN TASTE ITALY IN EVERY MORSEL by the heavens i shall return again! 😭😭😭 Anyways, I went for my madame babays bday occasion....and this place did not disappoint! It's a course meal set pace (5, i cant remember bcuz the food was so darn delicious). Also its a 2 hour experience, so don't eat too fast, take ya time, my guys. The menu changes weekl, so im told but for me it adds to the delightful experience, but what i had was the wagyu steak cooked to perfection 👌🏾 medium rare with an indescribable sauce that made me want to slap my momma! Haha jk jk. But seriously, the sauce was paired with some sort of vinegarette mix that was zesty and topped with small chunks of mash. Before the main, they serve up all these other mini dishes that are to die for! Splendid. Scrumptious. Scrumdidiliumptious! Delizioso!! No gripes whatsoever, but we did have a friendly spider visit us at the table (I think he wanted some pasta). It didn't bug us, just crawled past our napkins, and I tossed it to the floor. Tbh, by no means did this impact the experience, though. Highly recommend! This place need some Michelin stars frfr!!
Shannon
Unbelievable dinner. Absolutely the best food and service I’ve had in years. Woke up thinking about it the next day. This unpretentious restaurant near DuPont circle is worth the price of the ticket. Our party of four was moved through the courses with such fluidity, the evening simply floated by as we enjoyed course after course. We tried two of the three primi, all of the secondi, and all of the desserts. Everything was incredible. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who loves great food without a pretentious atmosphere. Will definitely be back.
elizabeth pendzich
Obelisk never ceases to amaze me - the food is authentically Italian without being fussy; the servers were lovely and the atmosphere is intimate and was quiet all during our dinner. Thank you
Todd Bacon
Outdated concept (feels like something from the 80s), passe' food (again something you would have seen in the 80s) . Advertised as 5 courses, three of them are a total joke. Arrogant haughty service. Not recommended. I recommend to the owners to close this place and update themselves. For what you're paying to eat here it's a joke. Spend the same and go to Minibar or Oyster Oyster or any other REAL tasting menu. They're role playing here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Deniz Senyurt
I apologize for leaving such a bad review, but somebody has to reveal the real situation with this restaurant.
What a disappointment! I had been dreaming about visiting this restaurant for many years. We finally went there this week. The restaurant itself is pretty run down. It needs a fresh paint. The walls in the restrooms are patchy, showing that it has been a while since they were actually cleaned and painted.
The waitresses were well-meaning people, but in such an expensive restaurant, you would expect the waiters to dress up in professional attires rather than dressed up like housewives serving out of their own kitchen.
Food was less than mediocre. Pasta with eggplant over tomato sauce felt like we were eating something from canned pasta bought from Costco warmed up in the microwave. Swordfish was fine, chicken was dry, and the desert was okay but unfortunately, nothing was exceptional. Except for the bread and butter, none of the dishes stand out.
Given that this restaurant got so many good reviews, perhaps the actual chef was not there, and we ended up being served subpar food. Whatever the excuse was, it was a very disappointing experience.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Garth Grey
Prix fixe menu that is always different, so each visit is a new dining experience. With an intimate atmosphere and always exceptionally attentive service, we look forward to coming back!
Harry Moore
I have been a big fan of this restaurant for decades. I will confess that it has been a long time since I have been there, for a variety of reasons, none of them related to the restaurant itself. I went back last night with a small group of family to celebrate my birthday. The experience was fantastic from beginning to end. It reminded me why it’s such a favorite of mine. The meal was impeccable. The service warm yet professional, The quiet, elegant ambience is such a departure from most restaurants. I loved it! I would recommend it highly to anyone who wants a special dining experience.
A wonderful dinner. Service was excellent and the food was phenomenal (the wine pairing was also wonderful). Will definitely be back for a celebration or splurge occasion!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robinson Diaz
Very nice place
Esther Kwon
we were excited to have dinner here due to the rave reviews. walking in it was a very awkward atmosphere, no music, many empty tables, lighting was bad, and just generally not cozy as expected. the wine, gnocchi and dessert were good but other than that the meal was pretty forgettable.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
S Kurtz
If I could give 6 stars, I would! Impeccable service, flawless Italian food made with the finest ingredients, an immensely talented chef, and great hospitality make Obelisk a gem in DC.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salt Cod Ravioli with Chives, House-Made Burrata with Olive Oil, Duck Breast
Jeremy Davis
Fabulous dinner- disappointed by surprise doubled prices for NYE...The meal here was $225 for NYE; double their normal $123. There was no indication on their website or on their reservations page that it was a special price for NYE- if I had known I would not have gone.That said, the food was delicious and absolutely worthwhile at their normal $123. Their service was attentive and adequate for their high caliber, but not especially noteworthy. The restaurant itself was extremely quiet at the first seating but the atmosphere was cozy and comfortable yet refined once other diners arrived.
Consistently one of DC's best Italian restaurants for over 35 years now. Fixed price menu starts with an amazing sequence of about 5 small plates, then a choice between 3 first courses and 3 second courses and dessert. Service is excellent and the restaurant is attractive with about 15 tables. Noise level is at a very pleasant low level. Be sure to book a reservation ahead.
This is simply the best restaurant in DC for decades. It is quiet and elegant and understated. The five course dinner goes on and on, so don’t come here if you’re in a rush.
The appetizers are usually five or six dishes that are each more special and elegant, and almost enough to fill you up before dinner.
The menu changes and it’s limited, but always something you will love.
I really appreciate restaurants that have figured out how to be understated and still genuinely memorable — I think of places like Atelier Crenn who hit this balance. Clearly, Obelisk belongs in this same category. Every dish was notable, and usually for the small details — stellar olive oil for a burrata, perfect duck skin cracklings hiding out in asparagus, potatoes I have to assume were cooked in the veal fat to be that good, silky pappardelle for rabbit, intense rhubarb for panna cotta. Perfect cheeses, amazing wine list, pristine glassware, engaging team, beautiful dining room. Just impeccable.
WHY DIDN'T I FIND THIS PLACE SOONER!? First off.....THE BREAD WAS FRESHLY MADE! YOU CAN TASTE ITALY IN EVERY MORSEL by the heavens i shall return again! 😭😭😭 Anyways, I went for my madame babays bday occasion....and this place did not disappoint! It's a course meal set pace (5, i cant remember bcuz the food was so darn delicious). Also its a 2 hour experience, so don't eat too fast, take ya time, my guys. The menu changes weekl, so im told but for me it adds to the delightful experience, but what i had was the wagyu steak cooked to perfection 👌🏾 medium rare with an indescribable sauce that made me want to slap my momma! Haha jk jk. But seriously, the sauce was paired with some sort of vinegarette mix that was zesty and topped with small chunks of mash. Before the main, they serve up all these other mini dishes that are to die for! Splendid. Scrumptious. Scrumdidiliumptious! Delizioso!! No gripes whatsoever, but we did have a friendly spider visit us at the table (I think he wanted some pasta). It didn't bug us, just crawled past our napkins, and I tossed it to the floor. Tbh, by no means did this impact the experience, though. Highly recommend! This place need some Michelin stars frfr!!
Unbelievable dinner. Absolutely the best food and service I’ve had in years. Woke up thinking about it the next day. This unpretentious restaurant near DuPont circle is worth the price of the ticket. Our party of four was moved through the courses with such fluidity, the evening simply floated by as we enjoyed course after course. We tried two of the three primi, all of the secondi, and all of the desserts. Everything was incredible. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who loves great food without a pretentious atmosphere. Will definitely be back.
Obelisk never ceases to amaze me - the food is authentically Italian without being fussy; the servers were lovely and the atmosphere is intimate and was quiet all during our dinner. Thank you
Outdated concept (feels like something from the 80s), passe' food (again something you would have seen in the 80s) . Advertised as 5 courses, three of them are a total joke. Arrogant haughty service. Not recommended. I recommend to the owners to close this place and update themselves. For what you're paying to eat here it's a joke. Spend the same and go to Minibar or Oyster Oyster or any other REAL tasting menu. They're role playing here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I apologize for leaving such a bad review, but somebody has to reveal the real situation with this restaurant.
What a disappointment! I had been dreaming about visiting this restaurant for many years. We finally went there this week. The restaurant itself is pretty run down. It needs a fresh paint. The walls in the restrooms are patchy, showing that it has been a while since they were actually cleaned and painted.
The waitresses were well-meaning people, but in such an expensive restaurant, you would expect the waiters to dress up in professional attires rather than dressed up like housewives serving out of their own kitchen.
Food was less than mediocre. Pasta with eggplant over tomato sauce felt like we were eating something from canned pasta bought from Costco warmed up in the microwave. Swordfish was fine, chicken was dry, and the desert was okay but unfortunately, nothing was exceptional. Except for the bread and butter, none of the dishes stand out.
Given that this restaurant got so many good reviews, perhaps the actual chef was not there, and we ended up being served subpar food. Whatever the excuse was, it was a very disappointing experience.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Prix fixe menu that is always different, so each visit is a new dining experience. With an intimate atmosphere and always exceptionally attentive service, we look forward to coming back!
I have been a big fan of this restaurant for decades. I will confess that it has been a long time since I have been there, for a variety of reasons, none of them related to the restaurant itself. I went back last night with a small group of family to celebrate my birthday.
The experience was fantastic from beginning to end. It reminded me why it’s such a favorite of mine.
The meal was impeccable. The service warm yet professional, The quiet, elegant ambience is such a departure from most restaurants.
I loved it! I would recommend it highly to anyone who wants a special dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
A wonderful dinner. Service was excellent and the food was phenomenal (the wine pairing was also wonderful). Will definitely be back for a celebration or splurge occasion!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very nice place
we were excited to have dinner here due to the rave reviews. walking in it was a very awkward atmosphere, no music, many empty tables, lighting was bad, and just generally not cozy as expected. the wine, gnocchi and dessert were good but other than that the meal was pretty forgettable.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
If I could give 6 stars, I would! Impeccable service, flawless Italian food made with the finest ingredients, an immensely talented chef, and great hospitality make Obelisk a gem in DC.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salt Cod Ravioli with Chives, House-Made Burrata with Olive Oil, Duck Breast
Fabulous dinner- disappointed by surprise doubled prices for NYE...The meal here was $225 for NYE; double their normal $123. There was no indication on their website or on their reservations page that it was a special price for NYE- if I had known I would not have gone.That said, the food was delicious and absolutely worthwhile at their normal $123. Their service was attentive and adequate for their high caliber, but not especially noteworthy. The restaurant itself was extremely quiet at the first seating but the atmosphere was cozy and comfortable yet refined once other diners arrived.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
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